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England's Joe Root reclaims number one spot in ICC Test batting rankings

England batsman Joe Root returns to the top of the ICC world rankings following his decent display in the second-Test defeat to Pakistan.

England star Joe Root has returned to the summit of the International Cricket Council's batting rankings to be named the world's number one Test batsman.

The 24-year-old is now three points above Australia's Steve Smith after he scored two separate half-centuries in England's 178-run defeat to Pakistan in the second Test.

Smith held the title after dislodging Root in the fifth Ashes Test on UK shores, but after Australia's two-Test series against Bangladesh was postponed due to a security threat, the 26-year-old has been unable to improve his ranking.

Root, who has scored eight centuries and averages 56.79 after 34 Tests, is the first Englishman since Michael Vaughan to take the number one place in the list.

Meanwhile, Pakistan's Yasir Shah has moved to second in the Test bowler rankings after taking 8-180 in his side's recent win over England.

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Adil Rashid of England reacts after being hit to the boundary during day two of the 1st Test between Pakistan and England at Zayed Cricket Stadium on October 14, 2015 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
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